Women’s swimming team wins fourth straight meet

The men’s swimming team improved to 3-1 on the season. (Tim Lee / Photo Editor)

The women’s swimming team continued their strong start to the season with a win over Southern Connecticut State University this past Saturday at home. Junior Margaret Molloy and sophomore Laura Pierce once again led the Lions to a 168-126 win that improved the College’s record to 4-0.

Molloy won three freestyle events, including anchoring the 400-yard relay with freshmen Traci Hofer, Melissa Hessler, and junior Danielle Dilts. She also posted impressive times in both the 500-yard and 1000-yard freestyles.

Pierce outshone last week’s stellar performance by taking first in four events this week. With events 100-yard butterfly and both the 50-and 100-yard freestyle as well as swimming on the winning 200-medley relay team, Pierce proved that her career as a Lion has only just begun.

The men also had a strong meet against Southern Connecticut State. They shook off their first of the season last week with a 164.5-121.5 win over the Owls, giving them their first loss.

Junior Joe Tseng came up big for the College with 4 first place finishes. He served as the leadoff swimmer in the 200-yard medley, which he won with freshman Adam Schneider, fellow junior Tom Medvecky and senior Myles O’Connor. Tseng also competed in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke as well as the 200-yard individual medley.

“Win or lose, as a team we race to the best of our ability in each and every event,” Tseng said. “We have to stay focused on what we want to accomplish in the future and not dwell on what already happened. After losing to Stevens, the team was determined to defeat one of our top competitors, Southern Connecticut State. Ultimately, we were well prepared for the meet and everyone was psyched up to swim fast.”

Medvecky and sophomore Mike Vernoia made the NCAA cut in the 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard freestyle respectively. O’Connor joined them with a winning time of 58:34 in the 100-yard breaststroke.

“Even though it’s early in the season, we’ve had a lot of injuries,” junior Peter Goldsmith said. “We’re really focusing on becoming healthy and more long-term goals, such as winning the Metropolitan Championship and improving on the national level.”

Next on the schedule for both teams is Franklin & Marshall College at home this Friday at 6 p.m.